East San Jose charter school at risk of closing - San Jose Spotlight

"The school, part of the East Side Union High School District, still needs 12 of its 40 teachers to complete the credential process. After lengthy discussion at an Oct. 17 district board meeting, trustees unanimously approved the issuance of notices of violation to the school. The board did so in an effort to push the school toward compliance. The board is requiring Escuela Popular to provide a plan that will achieve fully qualified and credentialed teachers, and to reform its operations, business and governance practices to ensure transparency and sound fiscal practices."

"Escuela Popular was asked to create a program improvement plan when it submitted its charter petition in the fall of 2024. Escuela Popular Executive Director Patricia Reguerin said when the law changed, the school notified staff and worked to identify a path to fulfill the requirements. But the process requires significant time and commitment - typically four or more years to complete a bachelor's degree, followed by an additional two to three years for a credentialing program."

"Trustee J. Manuel Herrera said he wants the school to succeed. "Crisis represents both danger and opportunity," he said at the meeting. "I want this to be an opportunity when we all come out of this as the partners that we've been and the partners that we can still be. Escuela Popular is well equipped to respond and basically chart the path forward.""

Escuela Popular, a bilingual and bicultural charter in East San Jose, faces possible closure because 12 of its 40 teachers still need state credentials. The East Side Union High School District trustees voted to issue notices of violation after an Oct. 17 meeting to spur the school toward compliance. The board requires a plan to achieve fully credentialed teachers and to reform operations, business and governance practices for transparency and sound fiscal management. The state law set certification deadlines tied to employment in 2019-20, and credentialing often requires multiple years of degree and program completion, creating time challenges for staff.

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